Letter of Edward I, 6 June 1303 Chanson ushered a rather nervous Brother Gratian into the great hall and up to the chair before the dais. This time Corbett had not produced his warrants or letters of appointment, simply his sword lying next to the Book of the Gospels on which Gratian had taken his earlier oath. When the Dominican went to take his seat, Ranulf sprang to his feet. ‘How dare you!’ he shouted. ‘How dare you sit without permission before the King’s commissioner?’ Brother Gratian grasped the table and leaned against it, pallid-faced, eyes darting to left and right, constantly licking his bloodless lips. ‘Sir Hugh, what is this? I am a priest, a Dominican.’ ‘I know enough of that,’ Corbett replied slowly. ‘I also know you are a liar and a perjurer, responsible for an attack on the King’s representative in these parts.’ ‘I … I … don’t know,’ the Dominican replied. ‘You’d best sit down,’ Corbett declared. Leaning over, he pushed the Book of the Gospels in front of the Dominican, then, stretching across, took Gratian’s right hand and slammed it firmly down on top of the book.
